LABOUR & THE LAW QUEENSLAND'S ACT

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 31, 6 February 1913, Page 3

LABOUR & THE LAW QUEENSLAND'S ACT

LARGE POWERS FOR JUDGE. SECRET BALLOTS. By a statement in tho House of Representatives, just before the Mackenzie Ministry fell, the present Premier gave his hearers an impression that ho had itudied Queensland's Industrial Peace Act (a Bill at that time). 'Iliis Act has Muine features of r n cemblanc6 to New. Zealand legislation, but it has also some Important points cf difference, shown in <he following summary : «.- SOLITARY GRANDEUR. A Judge, or acting- Judge appointed by the Governor in Council constitutes -the Court, sitting or acting alone. The Judge holds office for seven yeai's, and is eligible for reappointment, but can be removed in the same manner as a Judge of the Supreme Court. The Judge has large powers in relation to the scope and personnel of subsidiar-y industrial boards. The Judge may act as a mediator in any industrial matter or dispute whether or not it is within the jurisdiction of the Court, in all cases in which it appears to him that his mediation is desirable in the public interest. The Judge may convene a compulsory conference for the purpose of preventing or settling a dispute, and any person, whether connected with the dispute or not, who neglects the summons to attend may be adjudged guilty of contempt of Court, and fined up to £100. The conference may be held partly or wholly in public or in private, at the discretion of the Judge. Persons summoned to attend are entitled to reasonable * recompense, at the discretion of the Judge, for expenses and loss of time. An agreement reached at such a conference can have the same effect as an award of the Court. . Any award is to be "framed in such a manner as to best express the decision of the Court, and to avoid unnecessary technicality." The award is binding on ' all employers and employees in the locality and calling to which it applies. Any decision of the Court, whether act* ing in its original or appellate jurisdiction, is final, and cannot be removed to auy other Court. INDUSTRIAL BOARDS. Industrial boards for particular or grouped industries are created on the recommendation of the Court. Such a board consists of not fewer than four nor more than twelve members, and an independent chairman elected by members of the board. The . representation of employers and employees must be equal, and on each side the representa-. tives must be actually workers or employers, respectively, in the callings concerned. Members are appointed for three yearsi but there is provision for an extension. The Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Court,*may at any time remove any member of a board and appoint another member in his stead. A board's jurisdiction may cover the whole State or be limited to any specified locality or localities. Tlie chairman of a board may require any person (including a member) to give evidence on oath or affirmation, and for the purpose of compelling the attendance of witnesses the chairman has all the powers and authorities of a Police Magistrate sitting in a Court of Petty Sessions. Subject to appeal to the Court, the award of a; board has- the.io.rce 'off law, and cannot be challenged or- disputed. The award remains m force for twelve months, 'and continues in operation until it has been amended by another award of the board, or thff board or Court has made a new award. VOLUNTARY AGREEMENTS. The majority of the employers and employees in cases where no board is in existence can enter into a voluntary industrial^ agreement, and the 1 Court, after making any enquiry which it thinks proper and hearing objections, may sanction the agreement and give it the same force as ah award. SPECIAL PLEADERS. In all industrial matters before a board or the Court, an industrial association may be represented by a member or officer, and any other party may be represented by an agent, but no party is allowed representation by "counsel or solicitor or salaried officer of any indue, trial^ association, or by any member of Parliament." The Crown may intervene in any pro., ceedings before the Court or ti board and make such suggestions as it thinks necessary in order to safeguard public interests. ( if, ( in the Alinister's opinion, the public interests are likely to be affected by the decision of the Court or the award of a board. On an appeal the Court may allow any person or industrial association 'interested to become a party to the proceedings and may take fresh evidence. The Court has all the powers and authorities of a board, and may confirm, vary, or rescind the award or make a new award, or "make such other orders as it thinks proper.*'